Label printing and dispensing machine



Sept. 12, 1950 J. H. B. HEDINGER, JR

LABEL PRINTING AND nxsrmsmc CHINE Fldd D06. 5. '1946 QW TQ, N N /MR Ea o Wwfw lm A E H M/ B. HW

Sept. 12, 1950 J. H. B. HEDINGER, JR

maar'. PRINTING AND DxsPENsING NACHINE med nec. 5L 1946 Sept. l2, 1950 J. H. B. HEDINGER, JR

LABEL PRINTING AND mspnmsmc naam 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 5, 1946 INVENTOR Jouw H.B.HEDaNGEr-2,Je.

B* ,q/ M7-twg ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 12, 1950 A J. H. B. HEDINGER, JR

LABEL PRINTING AND DISPENSING IACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.- 5, 1945 Ann , INVENTOR. JOHN H. B. HEDINGERW Lfw/ MM ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. l2, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,522,224 LABEL PRINTNIINAG AND DISPENSING CHINE John H. B. Hedinger, Jr., Cranford, N. J.

Application December 5, 1946, Serial No. '114,347

8 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for automatically dispensing so-called pressure sensitive adhesive labels, or stickers which are detachably carried by a flexible backing strip and separated from the strip in passing through the machine, in such manner that when a label is delivered by the machine into position to be conveniently removed by the operator for use, the feed 0i the backing strip is automatically stopped, and when the thus delivered label is removed by the operator, the feed of the backing strip is automatically resumed to deliver the next succeeding label into position to be removed by the operator, whereupon the feed of the backing strip is again stopped, and the cycle repeated whenever the operator removes a label. In one of its aspects the invention relates to a machine of the above character which may be readily coordinated to operate upon labels of various lengths and Widths. In another aspect the invention contemplates the combination with a machine of the above character, of a, printing mechanism so coordinated with a label dispensing mechanism that the labels are successively printed between the feeding steps and while the strip feeding mechanism is at rest, the printing operation being repeated after each successive delivered label has been removed by the operator. The invention also contemplates certain novel features and a novel mode of operation in respect to the stripping or separation of the labels from the backing strip. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically pointed out in the description hereinafter contained which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses a label dispensing machine of preferred form which is constructed to operate in accordance with the invention; the disclosure however should be considered as merely illustrative of the invention in its broader aspects.

In the drawings- Fig. l is a general side elevation, with certain parts cut away, of a machine constructed to operate in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 isa plan view of the machine shown in Fig. l, certain of the parts appearing in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail view of certain parts which are located adjacent the delivery end of the machine` Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View illustrating the action of the machine in separating the labels from the backing strip.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram 0f an electrical.

2 circuit appropriate to be used in connection with the machine of Figs. 1 to 4. l

Fig. 6 is a. side view partly in section, and Fig. 7 a similar end view, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating electrical circuit connections appropriate for use with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The invention is illustrated as carried out by a machine wherein many of the operating parts are carried by an elongated table I along which a flexible backing strip 2 carrying a series of gummed labels or stickers 3 is fed. In the form shown, the strip 2 carrying the labels is supplied from a roll 4 mounted on a spindle 5, whichu latter is journaled in a pair of frames 6, at the opposite sides of table I the arrangement being such that the roll rests by its own weight on table l, and progressively unwinds to feed the strip along the table from right to left as the parts appear in Fig. l.

In the illustrated form of the invention the table I is provided with a side guide 1 (Fig. 3) against which the strip 2 is held in passing along the table, by means of a guide roller B having an annular flange 9 which bears against the opposite side of strip 2 so as to aline the latter in contact with side guide 'I in its travel along the table. The roller 8 is shown as` rotatably carried by a stud I0 which is carried by an arm II extending from a slide I2 which is movable up and down with respect to a vertical web I3 ex tending upwardly from table I. As shown the stud I0 also carries a pressure roller I4 which bears by gravity or spring pressure upon the upper surface of the backing strip 2 or the labels carried thereby. By adjustment of the hand nut I5 on stud I 0 and the collar I6 (Fig. 2) which is also carried by stud I0, the roller 8 may be set to cooperate properly with backing strips of different widths. When a new roll l is to be properly positioned in the machine, the slide I2 may be manually lifted up to permit the new length of backing strip to be properly positioned underneath the rolls 8 and Il.

To separate the labels or stickers successively from the backing strip. and deliver the separated labels into a position from which they may be readily removed by the operator for use, I prefer to conduct the backing strip carrying the labels through a zig-zag path, just prior to the point where separation of the label is to begin, and then bend the backing strip arcuately away from the forward edge of the label to be separated, While retaining the label against corresponding arcuate movement, thus peeling of! the backing strip progressively from the label being separated therefrom, and causing the label to move out progressively into an overhanging position wherein it projects outwardly to an angle to the backing strip. As the separating movement continues, the label is swept around bodily by the arcuately moving strip, until the label sweeps into contact with a stop member, which completes the separation of the label from the backing strip and leaves the label in a delivered position wherein it may be readily grasped and removed by the operator. The proper functioning of the machine in its above described labelseparating operations depends upon the use of adhesive of the pressure sensitive type or other type which will enable the labels to separate readily from the backing strip, i. e. the machine is not applicable to labels carrying adhesives which have become permanently set in securing the labels to the backing strip. Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, I show the backing strip 2 and labels 3 as passing from table I down under and partially around a cylindrical rod or roller I7, and then up and partially around a similar cylindrical rod or roller I8, thus causing the backing strip and the labels carried thereby to pass through an angular path just prior to the point of label separation. As the forward edge o a label reaches the periphery of roller I8, it is held by roller I1 against movement arcuately around roller I8 along with the backing strip and thus the forwardend of the label moves out temporarily into the dotted position indicated at 3a. As the separating movement of the label continues, the label becomes free of the restraint imposed by roller I'I, and is swept around angularly to the position indicated at 3b and 3c. In the latter position the label comes into engagement with a stop member I 9 which prevents the label from being further swept around and completes the operation of separating it from the backing strip, the label reaching what may be termed its dispensed position, from which it may be readily picked up by the user. As shown in Fig. 4 the feeding mechanism for the backing strip may consist of a roller 2li which is positively driven as hereinafter described, and against which the backing strip is held by a pressure roller 2 I.

In the illustrated form of the invention, thc roller I7 is journaled at one end in the slide I2 and at the outer end in an outboard bracket 22 extending outwardly from such slide. Thus when slide I2 is lifted to permit a new length oi' backing strip to be positioned under roller 3 as above described, the same movement permits the new backing strip to be positioned under roller The roller I8 may be journaled in the web I3 at one end and in an arm 23 (Fig. 3) at the other end. The positively driven roll (which may be rubber surfaced) is shown as mounted on a spindle 24 (Fig. 3) which is driven through appropriate gearing (not shown in detail) from a motor 25 mounted on the rear side of web I3. The pressure roller 2| is shown as journaled in a bracket 26, which is pressed by spring 21 toward roll 20, the assembly of rolls 20 and 2| and associated parts being supported by side frames 28 (Fig. 1) extending down from table I. In the illustrated machine, two stop members |9 are shown, consisting of narrow strips extending outwardly from a bar 23 (Fig. 3) extending out from web I3. When the machine is delivering narrow labels, only thestp of the strip 2 whenever a label reaches member I3 at the left of Fig. 3 may be active; when wider labels are being delivered they will span the two stop members I9 shown in Fig. 3. In either event the delivered label may be grasped and removed by the operator, and the undersurfaces of the delivered labels which carry the adhesive, will not adhere unduly to the stop members, the latter having only a relatively small area of contact with the labels, as may readily be provided.

The machine will deliver labels properly whether or not the members II and I8 be made rotatable, and the strip 2 after being ejected from between rolls 20 and 2|, may be conducted to any convenient point of disposal. It is important that the backing strip, which is frequently of fairly weak material, be not tensioned suillciently to break it, and the machine as above described will function satisfactorily from that standpoint. When a new backing strip is being fed into the machine, the pressure roller 2| will be pushed downwardly 'to permit the strip to pass between it and roll 20.

On one side of the delivered position of the labels, I provide a light source 30 which projects a beam of light 3| across the point at which the delivered label comes to rest when in delivered position, the light beam 3| being shown as passing through a prism 32 of Lucite or the like which is shown as enclosed in a shell 33. On the other side of the path through which the labels pass to their delivery position, I provide a light responsive device such as the photoelectric cell 34 which is positioned to receive the light beam 3| except when the latter is intercepted by the forward edge portion of a delivered label. In the form shown, the light beam travels to the cell 34 through a prism 35 of Lucite or the like which is enclosed within a shell 36, the assembly being mounted upon a bracket 31, which remains fixed in the machine. As hereinafter described in greater detail, the circuit to the motor 25 which drives the feeding mechanism for the backing strip 2, is controlled by cell 34 to stop the feed the delivered position shown at 3c in Fig. 4. Whenever the operator removes the delivered label, motor 25 resumes operation until the next succeeding label reaches its delivered position.

The light source and the feeding mechanism for the backing strip are made adjustable in position, one with respect to the other. In the form shown the entire strip feeding and label delivery assembly is carried by the table and the web I3 associated therewith, the web |3 being releasably connected to a fixed upright 33 (Fig. 1) by means of studs 33 (Fig. 1) which pass through slots 40 in web |3 and are seated in the upright 38. Thus by operation of the adjusting screw 4I (Fig. 1) which engages in an angle piece 42 attached to table I, the strip feeding and label delivering assembly, including the stop members I9, may be transversely adjusted with respect to the path oi' travel of the light beam 3|. When the machine is operating to deliver relatively long labels, the table and parts mounted thereon will be moved toward the right as the parts appear in Fig. 1, which will cause the motor to remain in operation for a longer period of time, before the next succeeding delivered label intercepts the light beam and stops the feed of the strip. In this way the machine properly upon labels of proper setting for any preferably indicated by a varying lengths, the length of strip being pointer 44 mounted on table I which runs along a suitable fixed scale 46.

I prefer to employ in conjunction with the above described parts mechanism which is so coordinated with the strip feeding mechanism and with the light responsive device as to print upon the labels successively as they pass toward delivered position, the printing operation being timed to operate when the strip feeding mechanism is inactive and vice versa. In Fig. 1, I have shown schematically a reciprocable printing die 46 having appropriate inking members 41 associated therewith, which parts may be of previously known construction and mode of operation. The print-l ing die is connected to the armature 48 of a solenoid 49, the printing die being normally urged toward inactive position by the spring 50. When the solenoid 49 is energized, the die 46 goes through one printing stroke, thus printing upon the label which is directly therebeneath,

4and the printing operation as above stated Iis coordinated to be performed when the strip feeding mechanism is inactive, i. e. immediately after a label has reached its separated and delivered position. When the operator removes the delivered label as above described, the strip feeding mechanism resumes operation, and the printing mechanism remains inactive until the next delivered label is removed by the operator. The printing mechanism may be mounted within a housing I, having fixed thereto slides 52 which are adjustable in ways 53 (Fig. 3) extending from a block 54. This enables the position of the printing mechanism to be adjusted transversely of the path of travel of the labels. The block 54 in turn may be slidably mounted in ways 55 (Fig. l) which are provided in the web I3. This enables the position of the printing mechanism to be adjusted longitudinally of the path of travel of the labels, thus accommodating the printing mechanism to labels of different lengths and widths.

In Fig. 5 I have indicated schematically an electrical system appropriate for use in a machine of the above described character, the light source 30 and the light responsive cell 34 being indicated at the left of the diagram.

The machine is served by an appropriate power circuit as indicated inthe lower left hand corner of Fig. 5, the current being fed through an appropriate transformer 56 to the light source' 30, and the cell 34 being connected to an ampliiler and trigger tube indicated schematically at 51, which is connected to a pilot relay 58, so that whenever cell 34 is activated by the light beam, the pilot relay 58 is closed to complete the circuit controlled thereby. In this circuit is included the power relay 59 which controls the circuit to the motor 25 and also to the printing solenoid. When relay 59 is energized circuit is closed to motor 25 and thus the feed of the backing strip is set in motion to advance another label to delivery position. When relay 59 is open, circuit is closed to the printing mechanism solenoid 49, the feed of the backing strip being then out of action, and the label alined with the printer is printed upon. As the printing die 45 of the printer completes its printingv movement, a lug 68 moving therewith opens a switch 6| which is included in the circuit leading to the printing solenoid, and when thus opened the switch 6| is held open by a latch 52; thus only one printing movement will take place under the above conditions. When motor 25 is again energized a reof the machine, a printing lease coil 63 which is shunted around the motor, retracts the latch 82, whereupon the spring 64 restores switch 6I to closed position. Thus whenever relay 59 is energized by the removal of the label from delivery position, the release coil 83 causes switch 6I to be closed to complete circuit through it to the printing solenoid, circuit to this solenoid however being open at the relay 59. When relay 58 is next deenergized by the delivery of the next succeeding label to its delivery position, relay 59 will open to complete circuit to solenoid 49 for printing upon thejiext succeeding label which during this same interval has been moved into alinement with the printing mechanism, whereupon this last mentioned label will be printed upon in the manner above described.

Figs. 6 and 7 relate to an alternative form of the invention wherein the step by step feed of the backing strip to successively advance the labels to proper delivery position is secured by a manually operated actuating member, instead of by a motor as above described. Referring to Fig. 6, spindle 24a should be understood as performing functions similar to the spindle 24 previously described, and similarly associated with respect yto strip guiding and label separating elements such as have already been described in connection with Figs. l to 4 including a pressure roller 2Ia similar to the roller 2i previously described. In the form of Fig. 6, however, the spindle 24a carries a spur gear 65 which meshes with an intermediate gear 66, the latter meshing with a sector gear 61 which is fixed to a shaft 68. A manual operating member 69 shown in the form of a rocking lever, is mounted on the shaft 88 and connected thereto by a ball clutch or similar ratchet connection 1li. Fig. 'I shows the operating member 6 as mounted at one side of the machine, and projecting out through a slot 1I in a side housing 1-2, the lever 69 being preferably urged toward the inactive position shown in Figs. 6 and 7, by an appropriate spring 13. The feed of the backing strip 2 takes place when the operator pulls the lever 69 down from the full line position shown in Figs. 6 and 7, to the dotted line position shown at the left of Fig. 6, the lever engaging the limit stop 14 at the end of this movement. During this movement the clutch 18 engages with the shaft 68, thus positively driving the shaft 24a and feed roller 20a carried thereby, through gears 61, 66 and 65. This strip feeding mechanism causes a label to be advanced to delivery position in the same manner as has been already described in connection with Figs. l to 4, the spring 13 thereafter returning the lever 69 to the full line position shown in Figs. 6 and 'I when the operator releases the lever. During this return motion the strip feeding mechanism is inactive, clutch 10 being then disengaged. The position of the stop 14 is made adjustable to provide an appropriate amount of feed for labels of different lengths. As shown the stop 14 is carried by an arcuately adjustable plate 15 (Fig. 6) having slots 16 through which pass fixed studs 11. After releasing a wing nut 18 the position of the plate 15 and stop 14 may be adjusted until the stop 14 is at the proper level for the particular length of label being fed, as indicated by a scale 19 (Fig. '1) on the housing 12.

As indicated in Fig. 8 the operating lever 69 may be coordinated with al printing solenoid 49a, as above described in connection with Fig. l, so that the label printing mechanism is out of action while the label feeding mechanism is in operation, and the printing operation takes` place be- 7 tween successive label feeding steps and while the label being printed is at rest. Referring more particularly to Fig. 8, the operating lever I! is shown in its inactive position wherein it holds closed a switch 80 contained within a box 8i, this switch being normally urged toward open position. When lever 69 is at the other limit of its movement, it closes a similar switch I2 which is normally urged toward open position, and is enclosed in a box 83, which latter may be mounted on a stop member il as shown in Fig. 6. The printing solenoid 49a of Fig. 8 has associated with it s, switch Gla similar to the switch 6i already described in connection with Fig. 5, and which is moved to open position upon the completion of the printing movement of the printing die 40a of Fig. 8, by the lug 60a on such die, the above parts being similar respectively to the parts 48 and 60 of Fig. 5. A latch 62a similar in function to the latch 62 of Fig. 5, is likewise provided in the circuit of Fig. 8 to hold the switch 6| a temporarily open upon the completion of a printing operation. However, when the operating lever 69 closes the switch 82, the coil 63a, which is similar in function to the coil 63 of Fig. 5, will release the latch 62a and permit switch Sla to move to closed position. Thus when the operating lever 69 is in the inactive position shown in Fig. 8, circuit to the printing mechanism solenoid 49a will be closed to the switches 80 and Sla until one printing operation is completed, whereupon switch Sla will be held open by latch 62a. When the operating lever 69 moves at the end of its backing strip feeding stroke to close switch 82a, latch 62a will be released to close switch B la, but circuit to the printing mechanism solenoid 49a will be open at that stage, since switch 80 will be open. When the operating lever 89 again moves back to inactive position, circuit will be completed to the solenoid 49a, and the printing operation will be performed on the label which was moved into alinement with the printing die 40a during the immediately preceding backing strip feeding movement of lever 69.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by the above described speciic embodiments thereof, it should be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably ailixed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels successively into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, mechanism for driving said feeding means, means for projecting a beam of light across the path of labels delivered into the aforesaid dispensed position, a light-responsive` device positioned to receive light projected across said path as aforesaid, an electric circuit controlled by said light-responsive device, said circuit including devices responsive to changes in circuit conditions as produced by said light responsive device to stop the feed of said strip whenever a label is delivered into the aforesaid dispensed position, and resume the feed of the strip whenever a label is removed from the aforesaid dispensed position.

2. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably amxed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels successively into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, mechanism for driving said feeding means, means for projecting a beam of light across the path of labels delivered into the aforesaid dispensed position, a light-responsive device positioned to receive light projected across said path as aforesaid, an electric circuit controlled by said light responsive device, said circuit including devices responsive to changes in circuit conditions as produced by said light responsive device to stop the feed of said strip whenever a label is delivered into the aforesaid dispensed position, and resume the feed of the strip whenever a label is removed from the aforesaid position, a printing mechanism disposed adjacent the aforesaid path of travel of the backing strip toward said dispensed position, said circuit also including devices responsive to changes in circuit conditions as produced by said light responsive device, to operate said printing mechanism to print successively upon labels located in said path of travel, whenever a label is delivered into said dispensed position.

3. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably amxed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, said machine being constructed and arranged to stop said feed when a label reaches said dispensed position, a printing mechanism disposed adjacent the aforesaid path of travel of the backing strip toward said dispensed position, and means controlled according to the condition of said strip feeding means for energizing said printing mechanism to print successively upon labels located in said path of travel whenever a label is delivered into said dispensed position.

4. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a. predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably ailixed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, said machine being constructed and arranged to stcp said feed when a label reaches said dispensed position, a printing mechanism disposed adjacent the fOresaid path of travel of the backing strip toward said dispensed position and means interconnecting said printing mechanism and strip feeding means to cause said printing mechanism to print upon a label located in said path of travel when said strip feeding means is at rest.

5. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a. predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably aixed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, a manually operable actuating member constructed and arranged to impart step by step motion to said strip feeding means to successively deliver labels to dispensed position as aforesaid, a printing mechanism dispcsed adjacent the aforesaid path of travel of the backing strip toward said dispensed position and means controlled according to the position of said actuating member for energizing said printing mechanism alternately with said step by step motion of the feeding means to print upon a label when said strip feeding means is at rest.

6. A machine of the character described` for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably ailixed to one face thereof, a stop member positioned to receive labels successively separated from said strip, label separating means including successive strip guiding members adjacent said stop member which are positioned to cause the backing strip to follow a zig-zag path in moving toward said stop member, thereby to partially separate the labels from the backing strip as the latter moves past the iinal guide member and cause the backing strip to sweep the partially separated labels successively around into contact with the stop member and thereby complete the separation thereof from the backing strip, and deposit the labels in a dispensed position in contact with said stop member.

7. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separably aflixed to one face thereof, a stop member positioned to receive labels successively separated from said strip, label separating means including successive guide members adjacent said stop members which are positioned to cause the backing strip to follow a zig-zag path in moving toward said stop member, the final aforesaid guide member being constituted by a roller adjacent said stop member, around which roller the backing strip passes in arcuate contact therewith, thereby to partially separate the labels successively from the backing strip as the latter passes over said roller and cause the backing strip as it passes around said roller to sweep the partially separated labels successively around into contact with the stop member and thereby complete the separation thereof from the backing strip, and deposit the labels in a dispensed position in contact with said stop member.

8. A machine of the character described for dispensing labels from a backing strip, including means for progressively feeding along a predetermined path a backing strip carrying a series of labels separately aixed to one face thereof, said machine including means for successively separating the labels from the strip when so fed and delivering such labels successively into a dispensed position wherein their forward ends project outwardly at an angle to said strip, mechanism for driving said feeding means, means for projecting a beam of light across the path of labels delivered into the aforesaid position, a light responsive device positioned to receive light projected across said path as aforesaid, an electric vcircuit controlled by said light responsive device,

said circuit including devices responsive to changes in circuit conditions as produced by said light responsive device to stop the feed of said strip whenever a label is delivered into the aforesaid position, and resume the feed of the strip whenever a label is removed from the aforesaid position, said machine including means affording relative adjustment longitudinally of said path of strip travel between said light beam projecting means and said label separating means.

JOHN H. B. HEDINGER, Ja.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

